Question 1

can spina bifida have any genetic links, or is it all environmental or chance factors during development?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: There can be a strong genetic link meaning that a parent has spina bifida then a child is at a higher risk of getting the disorder. Prenatal counseling is key here as the physician can go over medications that might need to be taken to prevent spina bifida such as folic acid

Question 2

weird. i have a very high palate and arches. also pectus excavatum, occult spina bifida. genetic problem?

Accepted Answer

Very likely: Sounds like your description may be indicative of a genetic variation in your family.  Many medical schools have genetic specialists who can guide you in uncovering hereditary problems.

Question 3

can you tell me the history and disease of spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: Spina bifida is a disease of many manifestations with the most common being a case of lumbo sacral myelomeningocele. This is a situation where the child is born with the spinal cord exposed in the lower back. This disorder develops during pregnancy and the use of folic acid  in the diet has reduced incidence quite significantly. There are several good web sites that have info available.

Question 4

is spina bifida caused by a spinal cord injury or chromosomal disorder?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: Neither this is a in utero developmental condition where the tissue that is suppose to move from in front of the neural  tissue  to cover the back and dosent make it intime prior to birth Folic Acid deficency has been implicated spina bifida occulta is an asymptomatic xray finding not to be worried about.

Question 5

what causes spina bifida? is spina bifida caused by a spinal cord injury, or a chromosomal disorder?

Accepted Answer

Spina : Spina bifida is not an injury.   It is a birth defect caused by failure of the nervous system to fully develop.  When the embryo is forming, the nervous system starts out as a "neural tube" that is supposed to grow in a very specific way.  If it does not, you are left with "neural tube defects" like spina bifida.  There is nothing we know of that causes it for sure, but certain things make it more likely.  It is more common with children that have trisomy 13, 18, or 21, but that is just an association, not a cause.  They are very common, and the only thing we know of that might help prevent them is for the mother to take folate (folic acid).  The hard part about that is the mother has to take folate (folic acid) very early in the pregnancy, often before she even knows she is pregnant.  That is why the all women of child-bearing age are advised to take at least 0.4 mg of Folic Acid every day.

Question 6

do you deal with spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

A life-long story: Spina bifida prevention begins before pregnancy, with folate (folic acid) supplements. Tests are done in pregnancy to prevent spina bifida newborns. If born with it, a child enrolls in a spina bifida clinic at a childrens' hospital. The child needs help with peeing & pooping, mobility (braces, wheelchairs), and with integrating into regular schools. His life will be like that of someone paralyzed in both legs.

Question 7

can you tell me what spina bifida means?

Accepted Answer

Split spine.: Spina bifida is a generic term used to describe congenital malformations of the spine (typically lower spine). It can be mild to very severe and be associated with a variety of conditions.

Question 8

what can you tell me about spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: Spina bifida is a very generic term that covers a lot of disorders of the spine that occur at birth. These can range from defects in the spinal bone to loss of the muscle and skin covering leading to herniation of the spinal cord and roots. There are a wide variety of causes known.

Question 9

how can spina bifida impact someone's life?

Accepted Answer

Many ways: Spina bifida is a disorder in which the spine fails to form right, it ranges in severity from a simple failure for the bones to close together to the spinal cord not developing correctly. How it impacts someone's life varies by the type and also the level if there is neurological damage. If the cord is involved many of the cognitive issues may be related to increased fluid levels in the head.

Question 10

how can occult spina bifida impact a persons life?

Accepted Answer

No impact: Spina bifida occulta is manifested by a single defect:  failure of the two laminae of a vertebra to achieve bony union with each other. Often times the spinous process is associated with one lamina. Rarely is the spinous process completely absent. The vertebra has normal strength, normal associated joints, ligaments, qnd disks plus no nerve root herniation or compression. Occult = symptom-free.

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Doctor answers about:

Is spina bifida a genetic disorder

A member asked:

Can spina bifida have any genetic links, or is it all environmental or chance factors during development?

A member asked:

Weird. i have a very high palate and arches. also pectus excavatum, occult spina bifida. genetic problem?

A member asked:

Can you tell me the history and disease of spina bifida?

A member asked:

Is spina bifida caused by a spinal cord injury or chromosomal disorder?

A member asked:

What causes spina bifida? is spina bifida caused by a spinal cord injury, or a chromosomal disorder?

A member asked:

Do you deal with spina bifida?

A member asked:

Can you tell me what spina bifida means?

A member asked:

What can you tell me about spina bifida?

A member asked:

How can spina bifida impact someone's life?

A member asked:

How can occult spina bifida impact a persons life?

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